Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA- Since the dawn of Islam, the Shami (Levantine) Hajj Route has stood as one of the most significant religious, commercial, and cultural pathways in Islamic history. Extending from Damascus to Medina and Mecca, it served as a conduit for millions of pilgrims over the centuries.
A Route at the Heart of Time
The Shami (Levantine) Hajj Route emerged with the Islamic conquest of the region during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. Initially established for pilgrims from the Levant, it later accommodated travelers from Anatolia and the Caucasus as Islam spread. It became one of the three principal pilgrimage routes in the Islamic world, alongside the Egyptian and Iraqi routes.
According to the Encyclopedia of Antiquities in Syria, the route stretched approximately 1,300 kilometers from Damascus, through southern Syria, across the Jordanian desert, and into northern Hejaz, ultimately reaching Medina and Mecca. The round trip took about four months, including rest stops for resupplying food and water.
Stewardship of the Route
From an early period, successive Islamic states devoted great care to the Hajj route. They constructed stations, reservoirs, cisterns, and guide towers, and placed distance markers to assist and comfort pilgrims. The position of Amir al-Hajj (Commander of the Hajj) was created to oversee the caravan, typically accompanied by a military escort to deter bandits. The caravan also included a judge (Qadi al-Rakb) to resolve disputes, and a Sirdar al-Jarda to ensure the safe return of all pilgrims.
Caliphal and Royal Patronage Through the Ages- Umayyad Era
As confirmed by the Encyclopedia of Antiquities in Syria, the route reached its zenith during the Umayyad period, when Damascus was the capital of the caliphate. The road underwent major development: pools were restored, mosques built, distance markers and guide towers erected, and advanced waystations constructed across the desert. The Tabuk Mosque was renovated, further enhancing the route.
Abbasid Era
Though the Abbasid capital shifted to Baghdad, the Shami route remained active due to Damascus’s enduring spiritual significance. More waystations and supply points—especially in Wadi al-Qura (northern Hejaz)—were established. Abbasid caliphs continued to secure the road and built khans (inns) and small mosques along the way.
Ayyubid and Mamluk Eras
Despite disruptions during this period, Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi restored security to the route and rehabilitated its facilities. His successor, Al-Mu’azzam Isa ibn al-Adil, also revitalized vital infrastructure. In the Mamluk era, competition between Egypt and the Levant drove further development of the route, including fortified stations, castles, and new service hubs. The Amir al-Hajj was selected from among the state’s top commanders.
Ottoman Era
According to the Encyclopedia of Antiquities, the route reached peak organization during the Ottoman era, especially under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. The caravan evolved into a grand procession known as the Qafila al-‘Uzma (the Great Caravan), accompanied by a formal military force and ceremonial pageantry.
In 1908, the Ottomans completed the Hejaz Railway, extending from Damascus to Medina, reducing travel time to under ten days. This enhanced the unity of the Islamic world and reinforced Damascus’s position as the departure point for the Levantine pilgrimage.
The railway included major stations in Syria—Damascus, Kisweh, Daraa, and Bosra—and in Jordan—Mafraq, Zarqa, Balqa, and Ma’an—before crossing the Hejazi desert via Halat Ammar, Tabuk, Al-Ula, Madain Saleh, and Al-Hijr, and ending in Medina.
Economic and Social Significance
The Shami (Levantine) Hajj Route was not solely a spiritual passage; it also played a vital economic role. It stimulated trade and contributed to the growth of cities along the route, especially Damascus, the caravan’s point of departure. Seasonal pilgrimage markets sprang up, alongside the expansion of permanent markets like Al-Souwayqa and Suq Taht al-Qal’a. Major khans such as Khan As’ad Pasha, Khan Al-Jumruk, Khan Al-Hareer, Khan Al-Safarjaliyya, and Khan Al-Arous flourished.
Pilgrimage-related crafts thrived, including the production of water skins, camel maintenance, garment weaving, and food preparation. The caravan was often accompanied by musical troupes, poets, and preachers, giving the journey a unique spiritual and cultural character.
A Path of Civilization and Connection
For over thirteen centuries, the Levantine Hajj Route served as a cultural bridge, transferring arts, sciences, and languages across the Islamic world. It stood as a rare example of advanced planning, administration, and logistical coordination.
Remnants of the route remain visible today, as documented by researcher Ghazwan Yaghi in the Encyclopedia of Antiquities in Syria. These include forts, wells, abandoned mosques, and railway stations—enduring monuments to a spiritual and cultural artery that unified the Muslim nation around a singular destination: The Sacred House (Kaaba).
Reem / Nisreen / Ruaa al-Jazaeri
